Class 6A District 8

District 8

1. Goddard Lions (3-7)

Goddard returns 13 starters from the 2008 squad, which started 0-6 before winning all three district games to make the playoffs. Derby defeated the Lions, 44-25, in the first round, but Goddard demonstrated in that second meeting with Derby that they were a different team by season’s end.

Coach Roger Robben enters his sixth season up against the same brutal schedule as last season, starting against McPherson and Blue Valley West. Senior QB/DB Cameron Fisher (6-0, 174, 1,526 total yards), thrown into the fire last season as a first-year starter, enters 2009 with more confidence.

Three offensive linemen and a tight end return: OL/DE John Fatkin (6-2, 230), C Blake Gilmour (5-10, 290), OL Ryan Roberts (6-1, 250) and TE/LB Tyler Hilton (6-2, 220, 107 tackles, 21 for a loss). Senior RB/DE Josh Hicks (6-2, 225, 6 sacks) matches Fatkin’s excellent size on the defensive line. –KDK

2. Dodge City (4-6), which in 2008 earned its first playoff berth since 1994, could be relevant on the state level for the first time since the early 1990s. If Dodge can shore up its defense against a schedule which posted a 36-46 record in 2008, the offense can lead the way behind seniors QB Ty Thomas (5-10, 160, 2,214 passing yards), WR/DB Landon Head (6-3, 195, 1,050 receiving yards) and newcomer RB/LB Jace Banner (6-1, 205). –TW

3. Maize Eagles (2-7)

After winning the first two games of the 2008 season, Maize dropped seven straight. Still, the defense only twice allowed more than 19 points, despite frequently playing twice as many snaps as the offense.

Third-year coach Craig Broadbent will refocus the offense on the run game after throwing the ball all over the yard the last two seasons. Maize scored 10 or less in five games last season.

Senior RB/LB Terrance Jones (5-8, 185, 494 yards) is quick through the holes and senior QB Dillon Ayres (6-0, 185) threw for 1,218 yards as a junior. Senior second-team all-league OL Ben Jensen (6-6, 215) returns, but the offensive line loses four starters.

Seniors DB/WR Miles Ukaoma (6-1, 180) and DB/WR Dylan Schellenberg (5-11, 160) lead a fast defensive backfield. Maize will play mostly linebackers in the box, using speed to rush. Junior LB/WR Derek Lee (6-3, 205) should break out this season. –TW

4. Garden City (4-4) starts off against two Class 4A teams, but there are no free rides the rest of the way. Coach Mike Smith, 64-22 at Valley Center through the 2001 season, enters his eighth season at Garden City, having not made the playoffs since 2006. The Buffaloes instituted Derby’s spread offense over the summer. –TW